NHS Hospitals to introduce Martha’s rule from April

It has been announced that over 100 NHS hospitals in England will be given funding to introduce ‘Martha’s rule’ from April 2024.

This system allows seriously ill patients easy access to a second opinion should their condition worsen and if they feel their concerns aren’t being listened to.

Martha Mills was just 13 when she died of sepsis whilst in hospital as her symptoms were missed.

The new scheme will allow patients and their families to ask for a separate medical team to undertake a ‘rapid review’ of treatment.

Martha’s mother said she was “pleased” because patients and families had a “role to play” “and they [doctors] cannot always spot the same changes in a patient that family and patients themselves can.”

Therefore, the ability to raise concerns directly and have additional assessments will undoubtedly save lives.

Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said: “It is there to help divert the horrific circumstances that we saw happen to Martha is prevented and [ensure] no other family has to go through this”.

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